Tipp given a lesson by dominant Limerick
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final
Limerick 2-26
Tipperary 2-14
By Shane Brophy
It was a chastening Munster Final experience for Tipperary who were over-ran by Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds by twelve points today.
The defending All Ireland champions won the second half 1-15 to 1-5 as their workrate and intensity was too much for a Tipperary side who were off the pace and leaves Liam Sheedy with plenty to ponder ahead of the All Ireland quarter final in two weeks time.
As expected, Cathal Barrett didn’t start with Seamus Kennedy taking his place with Brendan Maher coming to the full back line to pick up Aaron Gillane. The opening ten minutes didn’t disappoint with the sides sharing the first six points before Tipperary, backed by the stiff wind, eased two clear through Ronan Maher and a Jason Forde free. Forde added another to cancel out a Cian Lynch score but while Tipp were in front, Limerick had some good goal chances with Aaron Gillane firing over from close range while Brian Hogan denied both Cian Lynch and Gearoid Hegarty.
But it was Tipp that raised the first green flag when John O’Dwyer’s quick free found Seamus Callanan who found the middle open in front of him and allowed to solo to the 21, sent a shot to the net in the 18th minute.
However, Limerick’s response was impressive with Gillane and Peter Casey pointing from play before the two combined for the Casey to find the net in the 27th minute to bring the sides level.
Tipp responded well with a Jason Forde point but Limerick’s tails were up and with their forwards workrate increasing, it left Tipp with very few avenues of attack as well as forcing them into mistakes with Limerick hitting the final two points of the half from Tom Morrissey and Diarmaid Byrnes (free) to lead 1-11 to 1-9.
Limerick continued to have the upperhand at the start of the second half as they stretched the lead to four points but a John McGrath goal on 44 minutes brought Tipperary back on level terms. However, it only briefly stemmed the tide as Limerick struck the next three points and were six in front when James Barry was caught in possession by man of the match Peter Casey with Kyle Hayes running onto the loose ball to fire to the net.
Tipp had a great chance three minutes later to wipe that out when Seamus Callanan ran through but Nickie Quaid made a superb save with his legs and with Limerick pointing from the clearance through Cian Hayes, Tipp’s hopes were extinguished and Limerick didn’t ease off rattling over another seven points to Tipperary’s two and but for seventeen wides and a fine goalkeeping display from Brian Hogan, it could have been a lot worse for the Premier County where Brendan Maher, Ronan Maher and sub Jerome Cahill were best.
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Peter Casey (Limerick)
SCORERS – Limerick: Peter Casey 1-5; Kyle Hayes 1-2; Aaron Gillane (3 frees), Tom Morrissey, Gearoid Hegarty, Diarmaid Byrnes (frees) 0-3 each, Graeme Mulcahy, Cian Lynch 0-2 each, Barry Nash 0-1.
Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-6 (3 frees); Seamus Callanan 1-1; John McGrath 1-0; Ronan Maher 0-2; Noel McGrath (free), John O’Dwyer, Dan McCormack, Jake Morris, Jerome Cahill 0-1 each.
TEAMS – Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Richie English; Diarmaid Byrnes, Declan Hannon, Dan Morrissey; Cian Lynch, William O’Donoghue; Gearoid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes, Tom Morrissey; Graeme Mulcahy, Aaron Gillane, Peter Casey. Subs: Shane Dowling for Hegarty (62); Darragh O’Donovan for O’Donoghue (62); Seamus Flanagan for Casey (66 inj); Barry Nash for Hannon (69); David Reidy for T Morrissey (70+2).
Tipperary: Brian Hogan; James Barry, Brendan Maher, Sean O’Brien; Seamus Kennedy, Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher; Michael Breen, Noel McGrath; Jason Forde, John O’Dwyer, Dan McCormack, Jake Morris, Seamus Callanan, John McGrath. Subs: Niall O’Meara for Breen (HT); Robert Byrne for N McGrath (54); Jerome Cahill for O’Dwyer (61); Barry Heffernan for Barry (62); Mark Kehoe for J McGrath (65).
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)
Attendance: 44,052